Welcome Exchange Students!
Congratulations on your decision to study abroad at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT). We at the
Programs Abroad Office (PAO) would like to take this opportunity to welcome you! We are very excited
that you have chosen our university for your American university experience. We are looking forward to
meeting you very soon.
CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION AND PROGRAMS ABROAD OFFICE
The PAO is an office within the Center for International Education (CIE). The CIE is made up of 6 units: the
PAO, the International House (I-House), the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), the
English Language Institute (ELI), the Confucius Institute (CI) and the Peace Corps. Though you will have
the opportunity for involvement with many of these units during your time at UT, as exchange students, you
will work primarily with the PAO.
The PAO is made up of the following staff:
Ms. Alisa L Meador, Associate Director - ameador2@utk.edu (main responsibility for incoming exchange)
Mr. Noah Rost, Associate Director
Ms. Heather Grigsby, Coordinator
Ms. Anne Hulse, Coordinator
Mr. Michael Saenz, Coordinator
Ms. Doree Brown, Administrative Support
Ms. Susie Jenkins, Administrative Support – cjenki10@utk.edu (main administrative support for incoming)
Our Contact Information:
Center for International Education
1620 Melrose Avenue
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN 37996-3531 USA
Phone: 865-974-3177
Fax: 865-974-2985
Email: studyabroad@utk.edu
Web site: http://studyabroad.utk.edu
Useful websites:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville: http://www.utk.edu/
Programs Abroad Office: https://studyabroad.utk.edu/
Center for International Education: http://cie.utk.edu
International House: http://ihouse.utk.edu
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EMERGENCY
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Emergency PAO Cell Phone
After hours emergency line, coordinators and
directors carry this phone on a rotating basis. Not
to be used for regular business!
*
865-789-2982
UT Police Department
*
865-974-3114
USA Emergency Response
*
911
TYPES OF
PROGRAMS
To help you understand some of the information in this handbook, we would like to share our definition of
the University of Tennessee’s (UT) exchange programs and the International Student Exchange Program
(ISEP).
UT has exchange agreements with several universities abroad including:
 University of Canberra , University of the Sunshine Coast and Macquarie University, Australia
 College of Social Work: University of Calgary, Canada
 University of Chile, Chile
 Tsinghua University, Sichuan University, and City University of Hong Kong, Chinese University
of Hong Kong, The University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China
 University of Aarhus-Journalism, Denmark
 Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland
 KEDGE Business School, France
 Duale Hochschule Baden-Wurttemberg, IAAD: Bauhaus University Architecture Program and
Universität Bonn, Germany
 University College Dublin, Ireland
 Politecnico di Torino, Italy
 Chuo University, International Christian University, Kobe University, Kansai Gaidai University,
Toyo University and Waseda University, Japan
 Hogschool van Utrecht and Stenden University, The Netherlands
 Cracow University of Technology, Poland
 Mahidol University International College, Thailand
 Robert Gordon University, Keele University, University of Worcester, University of Kent at
Canterbury, University of Manchester, University of Nottingham and University of Swansea , UK
We refer to all students who come to UT on these programs as international exchange students.
UT is also a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), based in Arlington, Virginia.
Over half of our international exchange students come to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, through
ISEP. Those of you who applied to and were accepted by ISEP are at UT on an ISEP exchange.
The University also has agreement for direct enrollment of students with…
 Southeast University, Shenzhen University, Shanghai University of Sport, Wuhan
University, Jiangnan University
 AMOS Sport Business School, France
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PREPARATION FOR ARRIVAL
Obtaining a visa
If you are coming on UT exchange programs, our office at UT will issue you the DS-2019 form, which we
will mail to you approximately one month after we receive your application documents. Please be sure to
complete all documents accurately and provide all requested material. If anything is missing or incomplete,
it will delay issue of the DS-2019 form and thus your ability to apply for a visa. The DS-2019 form is valid
for the period that you plan to study at UT, plus thirty days. This additional time will allow you to remain in
the U.S. to travel after classes/exams end.
If you are coming to Knoxville through ISEP in Washington, D.C., the ISEP office will issue you a DS-2019
form which you take to the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest your home in order to obtain a J-1 visa.
SEVIS fee
Prior to applying for a J-1 visa, you must pay the SEVIS fee. For more information about the SEVIS fee
visit http://studyabroad.utk.edu - Incoming Exchange - SEVIS Fee.
Arrival:
In the fall semester, you should arrive no later than Wednesday, August 10, 2016. In the spring semester,
you should arrive on Wednesday, January 4, 2017. It is important that you arrive on time for the mandatory
orientation, so please start booking your flights now.
You should try to fly into Knoxville, Tennessee’s McGhee Tyson Airport. Most international flights
from Europe arrive in Atlanta, New York, Chicago or Washington DC, with flights from Asia coming into
Los Angeles and flights from Latin America flying into Houston and Miami. You will fly into these major
airports and then take a connecting flight to Knoxville. You should expect long delays at immigration and
security checkpoints in your initial arrival city, so we advise that you schedule long layovers between your
flights to reduce the risk of missing your connection to Knoxville.
It is very important that you keep your immigration documents with you and not in your checked baggage.
Please see Appendix A for a suggested list of documents.
Knoxville’s weather
You cannot actually predict the weather because you really cannot tell what might happen during one 24 hour
period.
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Fall/Autumn – This is one of the most beautiful times of the year in Knoxville, as this is when the
leaves turn and you see an amazing range of colors – red, orange, yellow and brown. In September,
it will still be very warm, and this often lasts into October. As the leaves change, the weather will get
cooler, and you can expect some rain, but there might be a day or two when you can leave your
sweater at home. By the end of November, winter is in the air.
Winter – Knoxville is not the coldest place during the winter, but it is certainly time to get out your
hat, scarf and gloves. Snow is not a common sight – we might see one or two snowstorms per season,
but the snow only tends to stick around for a couple of days. However, Knoxville has been known to
have blizzards and ice storms.
Spring – By March, the weather usually starts to improve, and the trees start to bloom. In April, the
days get warmer although this is when the temperatures can change by 25 degrees in one day. By
May, the days are very warm, and summer will soon arrive.
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
Summer – Hot, hot, hot! And wet! Summer storms in Knoxville are intense – thunder and lightning
and a lot of rain, all of which only lasts for about 1 hour. Then the sun comes out, and you would
never know it had rained at all.
What does this mean for you? You need to be prepared for all types of weather. Do not be surprised if it is
t-shirt weather one day and winter coat weather the next. It is a good idea to dress in layers!
Jeans are a big favorite on campus, but you will see everything from orange jogging suits to military uniforms.
You should bring whatever you feel comfortable in, and bring clothes that you can wear in any weather, from
shorts to big coats. There are plenty of places for you to go shopping for new things, so leave some room in
your suitcases so you can take your purchases back home.
Packing
You do not want to pack too much as you want to avoid paying any extra baggage charges. You can buy
many items here, such as hairdryers and alarm clocks, for very reasonable prices, and you will not need to
bring converters to operate them. Cumberland Avenue, the street that runs parallel to campus, has stores
where you can buy shampoo and soap. We recommend that you bring photographs that remind you of home
as they can brighten up your room, and your new friends may ask you about your family and friends at home.
You might also want to bring your favorite music as anywhere can feel like home when you listen to
something familiar and reassuring. Certain items are not permitted in the residence halls, so please check the
housing website to learn what not to bring and review the rules and regulations for living on campus.
ARRIVAL
When I get to Knoxville, where do I go?
There are two locations you will need to find upon arrival: your housing assignment and the PAO, in that
order. During the week of international student orientation, limited shuttles will be provided for
transportation from the airport to campus. More information will be provided regarding shuttle dates and
times once you have registered for one of the mandatory check-in sessions (see
http://international.utk.edu/isss/check-in-and-orientation/students/ for more details about check-in).
If you arrive in Knoxville at a time when shuttles are not being offered, we recommend you take a taxi to
the University. You may have to call for one if you do not see one outside the airport or bus station. For
the Yellow Cab Company, call 523-5151; for the AAA Airport Taxi Service, call 531-1930. Making a
telephone call from a public telephone will cost 35 or 50 cents, and the taxi fare will be around $20-25.
Ask the taxi driver to take you directly to your housing assignment.
PLEASE NOTE: You will live in Clement Hall, 1629 West Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916.
You will not be able to move into your permanent assignment until August 8/January 2. Please complete
the arrival form and return to Susie no later than the date Susie provides. We will inform the housing office
of your arrival date and time. YOU MUST COMPLETE ALL IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS
TO BE ABLE TO MOVE INTO ON CAMPUS HOUSING. IF YOU DO NOT COMPLETE THESE
RECORDS WITH THE STUDENT HEALTH CLINIC, YOU WILL BE TURNED AWAY FROM
HOUSING.
Linens and pillows are not provided. Students can move into the residence hall immediately upon arrival
as the check-in desk is open 24 hours a day. Then please check in at the Programs Abroad Office, 1620
Melrose Avenue, as soon as possible during office hours (Mon.-Fri., 8am-5pm) after your arrival.
Checking in with CIE and the PAO
This situation can be a little confusing. You will “open an immigration file” with CIE at the I-House when
you arrive. Sometimes, students think that once they have opened their files that they have also
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automatically checked-in with the PAO. Not true. You also need to check in with the PAO. You will be
given the date and time of the special orientation session for exchange students only when you check in.
You will receive specific information on your academic advising appointment time, date and location as
well as other important information applicable only to exchange students.
There is no need to call the PAO staff when you arrive. Simply come to orientation check-in as described
above.
ISEP students please note: Even though your IIS states that you should contact Alisa or Noah upon
arrival, please come to the office during regular office hours instead!
GETTING SETTLED/GETTING AROUND
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is a large but friendly campus. It has existed a long time by American
standards, since 1794. However, it is a very modern campus with excellent libraries, superb wireless and
internet facilities, and excellent sports facilities. Bring a good pair of walking shoes and be ready to walk
once you arrive. You can also use the free bus service (the ‘T’) that runs all over campus.
At the following website: http://www.utk.edu/aboutut/, you will find general information about the university
as well as numerous maps and directions on how to get here. Once you are here, do not be shy about asking
directions or questions. People are generally very friendly and willing to help if you approach them in a polite
manner.
The City of Knoxville
Knoxville is a medium-sized city that still retains the friendliness of a smaller town, yet has plenty for college
students to do and see. Downtown and the adjoining 'Old City' offer live music, coffee shops, and a host of
unique shops. All of this is located one mile from campus – great to walk to or you can take the trolley bus
for free if you prefer.
Knoxville hosted the l982 World's Fair, so it is no stranger to folks from out of town. Perhaps more
impressively, Knoxville is the home for many significant blues and country artists. Today you will still find
a thriving music scene.
There are the usual assortments of shopping malls and suburban sprawl for those who want to see those sorts
of things up close. Knoxville is one of the cheapest cities of its size in the United States. Even things like
movies and restaurants are usually cheaper than in Atlanta, Charleston, etc.
For more information check out: http://www.knoxville.org/ .You can also learn about what’s going on in
town with the online version of the Mercury, Knoxville’s free weekly newspaper:
http://www.knoxmercury.com/. For even more news you can read the daily newspaper, the Knoxville
News-Sentinel online at: www.knoxnews.com. Visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park website at:
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/
As for the people, like most places, you will find all types. We think it is a good idea to get to know and
appreciate as many different types of people as possible as opposed to just looking for people who are similar
to you. Knoxvillians tend to be more conservative and religious than people from other parts of the country.
However, it is probably not wise to automatically assume what this actually might mean or how true it really
is for each individual you meet. Overall, people are usually friendly but might take a while to get to know,
as is the case around the globe.
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If you get bored with Knoxville, you can take comfort in the fact that the city is within a day’s drive of
Washington, D.C., New York City, Florida, Charleston, and New Orleans. There are 8 states that border
Tennessee, so you can easily explore different states and cities on weekends with the appropriate
transportation.
Accommodations
The purpose of the exchange program is for you to immerse yourself in another culture which means you
will be living on campus in university housing and will not be allowed to move off campus at any time during
your stay in Knoxville.
Clement Hall is suite style accommodations. Yes, this does mean that you will be sharing a bedroom, an
experience common to American college and university students. We will let you know about your housing
arrangements as soon as possible, most likely in early August for fall, early December for spring.
Sheets, towels and linens are NOT provided for you in the residence hall. You can find these items in many
stores in Knoxville and perhaps less expensively than at home, so you do not really need to bring them with
you although you may want to bring a sheet and pillowcase for the first couple of nights. You should be able
to purchase a bath towel, a set of sheets, a pillow, a blanket and a bedspread for about $50.00 to $100.00 US.
The International House will arrange shopping trips during orientation.
At the end of your stay at UT, you are welcome to leave items that you cannot fit in your suitcase for future
exchange students.
The bus
You will be living on campus, so there are many places you can walk. Knoxville is a car lovers’ town –
people love to drive around here. If you are lucky, one of your roommates will have a car, and they may offer
to drive you to the grocery store or the movies. There is a bus system, the KAT (Knoxville Area Transport)
that can take you out to both malls and the grocery store as well as all over the campus and to the Old City
on those times you do not feel like walking. If you want to get out of Knoxville to see what else the US has
to offer, there is a Greyhound bus station and airport.
Driving in Knoxville
One option for transportation is to buy your own car. Many students buy cars to give them the freedom to
travel around town and well beyond. Prices are reasonable, and one can buy a working used car for around
$1,500. However, the state of Tennessee has imposed strict new laws regarding driver’s licenses. Only U.S.
Citizens and permanent residents now qualify for a driver’s license. All others may apply for a temporary
driver’s license. You should bring to the driver license testing station the following paperwork: passport,
original I-94, DS-2019, and at least 2 documents showing residence in Tennessee, such as your UT housing
contract, bank statement, etc. Legal issues surrounding a driver’s license in Tennessee can change.
Therefore, please check the following web site for the most up to date information:
http://www.state.tn.us/safety/.
Cars are great for freedom but hard on the budget. Insurance is required (at least $400 per year or more), and
taxes, gasoline, etc., all add to your costs. If your car breaks down, be prepared to spend more money to have
it repaired. If you are thinking of getting a car, there will be an orientation session just for you called GET
MOVING. Finally, do not forget that you will make friends with Americans who have cars who will probably
be happy to give you a ride from time to time.
Mandatory orientation
CIE has worked hard to schedule an informative and fun orientation for you. We want to help you get settled
at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. You will receive an orientation schedule upon opening your
immigration file. At orientation, you will learn valuable information about how remain legal in the U.S.;
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how to read the course timetable so that you go to class in the right building at the right time; meet other
international students; and begin to understand some of the cultural differences that you will encounter in the
South. What does “y’all” mean anyway? The PAO will also have one session designed specifically for you,
the exchange student. You are required to attend this special exchange student session (for the time and
location check out the orientation schedule) http://international.utk.edu/isss/check-in-andorientation/students/.
Paying fees
DO NOT PAY FOR ANYTHING UNTIL YOU ARRIVE AT UT!!!
Once you arrive on campus, and we have fixed your program costs, you can pay online or in person at the
Bursar’s Office (211 Student Services). They will accept traveler’s checks and personal checks from an
American bank account. If you choose to pay by credit card, you will have to do so online, and you will be
charged an additional processing fee of 2.5%. Please check with your credit card company to see if there is
a limit on how much you can charge each day.
You should check your UT account regularly throughout the semester to see if you owe anything such as
parking tickets (if you get a car), library fines, classroom fees or health center fees. If you do not pay on
time, you will be charged late fees, and UT will not release your transcript at the end of your program.
HEALTH/INSURANCE/SAFETY
UT health insurance
Health Insurance is essential and required by U.S. law. Every year we have at least one student who is saved
from financial ruin by having a solid health insurance policy.
Students coming to UT through ISEP are required to purchase ISEP insurance. Please check the ISEP website
(www.isep.org/insurance) for more information.
Those on the UT exchange will need to buy the UT health insurance policy - fall semester is $700.00
(approx), spring semester is $980.00 (approx) and full year = $1680.00. If you are currently covered
under a policy from your home country, you may request a waiver from the UT insurance. Please
bring a copy of your policy to the student health clinic upon arrivals. Waivers before arrival are not
possible. If the waiver is denied, students will be required to purchase the UT insurance. To learn
more about UT insurance visit http://international.utk.edu/isss/health-insurance-information/students/.
Please note insurance fees for the following year have not been set as of posting of this document
(4/22/2016). Changes to the waiver policy can be changed at anytime. The Center for International
Education does not control insurance at the University of Tennessee.
Insurance for fall semester begins August 1st and lasts until December 31. Insurance for spring semester
begins on January 1 and ends on July 31. You will pay for the insurance upon arrival at UT by credit card,
US check or cash. Insurance is expensive, but that does not mean it covers everything. Please be aware that
dental work, for example, is not covered under the UT policy. Insurance is somewhat complicated, so we
encourage you to attend the Insurance session at Orientation upon arrival.
The good news is that students can use the on-campus Student Health Service for routine medical needs,
usually for free. You are also covered for repatriation and evacuation. Again, at Orientation you will learn
what you need to know about insurance and medical services.
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You will need to report your immunization history on the forms located on the Student Health Services
website: http://studenthealth.utk.edu/immun_index.php (scroll down to access the forms). You will be
required to SEND information before arrive to be allowed access to on campus housing.
ACADEMICS
Do not be surprised if the academic structure at UT is completely different from what you are used to. The
academic calendar for 2016-2017 (http://registrar.tennessee.edu/academic_calendar/) is as follows:
2016-2017 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Fall 2016 Semester
Required Arrival: August 10
Orientation: August 11-12
Classes Begin: August 17
Labor Day (holiday): September 5
Fall Break (holiday): October 6-7
Thanksgiving (holiday): November 24-25
Classes End: November 29
Study Day: November 30
Exams: December 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8
Last Day of Benefits (All exchange students must move out of on campus accommodation on/by
this date.): December 9
Spring 2017 Semester
Required Arrival: January 4
Orientation: January 5-6
Classes Begin: January 11
MLK Holiday: January 16
Spring Break (holiday): March 13-17
Spring Recess (holiday): April 14
Classes End: April 28
Study Day: May 1
Exams: May 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 9
Last Day of Benefits (All exchange students must move out of on campus accommodation on/by
this date.): May 10
Academic record/transcript
You may find that it is very helpful when signing up for classes to have a copy of your academic record or
transcript from your home university. Some classes have prerequisites, and you may have to show proof
that you have taken the necessary prerequisites before being allowed to take the course at UT.
English Proficiency Exam (EPE)
All international students whose native language is not English are usually required to take the TOEFL exam
prior to coming to UT. Students taking English Language and Literature courses MUST also take the English
Language Proficiency Examination (EPE) regardless of their TOEFL score and comfort level with English.
This two and one-half hour exam tests a student's ability to use correct English and is given prior to the
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beginning of every academic semester typically on Friday morning of orientation. If a student tests well, he
or she has the option of taking English course 131 but is not required to do so. However, if a student scores
low, he or she is required to take English course 121 (no exceptions permitted). We will explain more about
the exam upon your arrival at UT.
Classes
As a student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, you are required by the U.S. Immigration Service
to take a full course load which is defined for undergraduates as a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.
Twelve credit hours typically equates to four courses.
Lectures are one form of undergraduate instruction. There may be as many as 300 students or as few as 20
in a lecture class.
You must attend the first day of class. Professors usually discuss their attendance policies and other
expectations in the first meeting of each course. If you are not there, you will probably be dropped from the
class, and it will be very difficult to convince the professor to re-add you to the roster. Regular attendance
throughout the semester is often counted as part of your grade, and in some cases, you will be dropped from
the class if you have more than three unexcused absences.
The typical undergraduate class, depending on subject, may involve three hours of lectures per week, an
additional lab or discussion section, reading assignments, quizzes and tests, a mid-term exam, a final exam
and one or more research papers or projects. Be prepared for continuous testing throughout the semester and
homework assignments for each class.
In discussion-based classes, the material presented in a lecture is reviewed and discussed. Discussion is often
an important element of American education and may be factored into your grade, so you will be expected
to speak up in class and may be called on to share your views. Do not be shy about speaking out. Your
instructor and classmates will be very excited to hear an international perspective. If you are worried or shy
about your language skills, please speak to your instructors after class so they can give you advice on how to
make contributions in class.
Most UT instructors will not accept handwritten assignments except for in-class exams and tests. You will
be expected to complete all other assignments on a computer. If you have a laptop or computer, you should
bring it with you. More and more departments are requiring laptop use in class.
UT professors do have office hours that are posted and provided on the first day of classes. UT instructors
are very approachable and are more than happy to offer advice on how you can achieve success in their
course.
Plagiarism is the use of another’s words or ideas without acknowledging the source. Americans take
plagiarism very seriously, so do not even think about doing it. If you are having difficulty or are unsure what
constitutes plagiarism, see your instructor and/or read about other resources available on campus at
http://www.lib.utk.edu/instruction/plagiarism/.
Students typically must make a C or better for courses to count towards the major or minor at UTK. Your
official academic transcript will have letter grades. If you receive percentage grades in class and are not sure
what your letter grade will be, make sure to talk with your professor before leaving campus. More
information about the grading scale can be found on the Registrar’s website:
http://registrar.tennessee.edu/records/grades/gpa.shtml. You must discuss credit and grade transfer with your
home institution.
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You will be required to purchase textbooks for your classes. With a student body of 26,000, the University
cannot provide all of the books that UT students need, so you are expected to buy them yourself. This,
unfortunately, can be a very expensive endeavor.
The estimate the university uses for textbooks is about $500 per semester. The best way to save as much
money as possible is to buy used books from the campus bookstore or other shops as this will be considerably
cheaper than buying new books. At the end of the semester, you may be able to sell your books back but only
for a fraction of the price that you paid for them; the bookstore only purchases books they know will be used
for a course again.
Another option is to check out a textbook for free at the Black Cultural Center on Melrose Avenue. Inquire
about the proper date to check out books because their supplies are limited.
CAMPUS SERVICES AND SUPPORT
Eating on campus
You can use UT’s dining facilities. UT has a range of meal plan options. To review the options, go to:
http://www.utdining.com/.
For students on some exchanges, the unlimited access plan is included as part of the exchange. You do have
the option of selecting another plan or not participating and receiving the money instead. Once you have
made a commitment to the plan, you must stay with it; you cannot drop out. We will discuss the options at
Orientation, so you can decide what to do after arriving at UT.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are here for the entire academic year and you purchase the meal plan during fall
semester, you are obliged to buy it for spring semester, too. You will not be able to change your choice in
the middle of the year.
If you do not choose a meal plan, a Flex Meals plan will automatically be added to your account. As of
4/22/2016 the flex meal amount for a semester was $300.
Eating off campus
It has been said that there are more restaurants per person in Knoxville than New York City, and that might
not be too far from the truth. Knoxville has a fantastic array of places to eat, from fast food places to gourmet
restaurants. We have all kinds of international cuisine to choose from including Chinese, Japanese, German,
Italian, Thai, Indian, Middle Eastern – you name it, Knoxville probably has it. There are several great local
restaurants within walking distance of campus that you should take the time to visit, such as Sunspot and
Tomato Head. More information will be made available when you get here.
International House?
One of the great things you will find at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is the International House,
which is located directly across the street from the Programs Abroad Office on Melrose Avenue. Consider
this as your home away from home. The I-House, as it is called, is a comfortable place to relax, study or meet
other interesting people. The I-House serves free coffee and tea several times a day. It also has several study
rooms, a large kitchen, free newspapers, musical instruments, and best of all, lots of friendly folks from
around the world, including the U.S. Numerous cultural events, seminars and even free cooking/tasting
demonstrations are offered each semester. See http://web.utk.edu/~ihouse/ for more information.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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Here is some information about topics that previous international students wished they had known before
they arrived at UT.
Exchange students home countries
Each semester UT hosts about 50 exchange students who come from many countries including, but not
limited to, Argentina, Australia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Austria, China, UK, Japan,
Estonia, Mexico, Italy, Spain, Canada, Brazil, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, South
Korea, and South Africa.
Shopping
Knoxville has two malls, West Town Mall, and Knoxville Center Mall. West Town Mall is about 8 miles
from campus going west on Kingston Pike, and Knoxville Center Mall is 10-11 miles northeast of campus.
There are movie theaters and food courts in both places. Besides the malls, there are plenty of stores for all
tastes – new and used books, music, sports, crafts and anything else you can think of – as well as Wal-Mart
and Target superstores. Turkey Creek shopping center offers movies, restaurants, shops and bars, but it is 15
miles from campus.
Sports at UT
Sports are important at The University of Tennessee. They are not only a significant part of the campus
culture, but also the culture of the entire country, especially in the South. Have no fear if you do not
understand American football. You will soon realize many people attend the games for the atmosphere as
well as the actual game. When the stadium is full, it becomes the fourth largest ‘city’ in the state of
Tennessee! Tickets to all UT sporting events (except football) are free for students. In the case of a really
important game, be prepared to wait in line. The women’s basketball team, The Lady Vols, is especially good
and usually plays in the national championship series. Information about the athletic teams, schedules and
tickets can be found at http://www.utk.edu/athletics/.
You can see or participate in volleyball, soccer, rugby, golf, tennis, sailing, swimming, horseshoes,
badminton, wall climbing, hiking, camping, skiing, and more. You can join a campus team or take a class in
many sports and activities. Whatever you do, be sure to visit the student recreation center, T-Recs. For more
information about sports and recreation facilities and opportunities, please visit the RecSports website:
http://recsports.utk.edu/.
And what is a Vol? Vol is an abbreviation for ‘Volunteer’. Tennessee is nicknamed the Volunteer State, and
orange is the color of choice for Vol fans.
Alcohol
You cannot legally consume alcohol in Tennessee or any other U.S. state unless you are over 21 – no
exceptions. Be prepared to show a photo ID if you order alcohol at a bar or restaurant or try to buy it at a
store. Your student identification card, either UT or ISIC, is very rarely accepted as a valid form of ID, even
if you are 21. The preferred ID is your passport or a temporary Tennessee driver’s license. In order to avoid
problems (and so you do not have to carry your passport everywhere), you may wish to purchase a state ID
card from the local government offices when you get to Knoxville. Please note that UT is a dry campus.
This means that no alcohol under any circumstances is allowed on UT property even if you are over 21. If
you are caught violating this alcohol policy, you will be reported to Student Judicial Affairs and will receive
any consequences which they determine.
Please note also that no drugs are permitted, on campus or in general, and serious penalties result if you are
found in possession of narcotics.
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Sales Tax
Tennessee has a 9.25 % sales tax on most items including clothes, food (both at the store and at restaurants)
and medicines. Unlike many countries, this is not always included in the actual price, so if you want to buy
a candy bar for 99 cents, it will actually cost you $1.08. Exceptions to sales tax tend to be at the gas pumps
and at the movie theaters where the tax has already been included in the price. When you travel, you will
notice that different states have different sales tax rates.
Great Smoky Mountains
During the semester, the Center for International Education may offer inexpensive or free excursions to the
surrounding area. Previous trips have included hiking and camping activities in the glorious East Tennessee
Mountains. Be sure to check with the Programs Abroad Office for more details once you arrive. You could
also join a hiking club at UT that regularly goes to the mountains or participate in one of the trips offered by
the UT Outdoor Program (UTOP). Visit the UTOP website to view their trip and event offerings.
Traveling around the U.S.
If you want to travel around the U.S. while at UT, there are plenty of opportunities to do so. If you are here
for a full year, you will have almost a month between semesters to explore the country. If you are only here
for the Fall semester, you will have a few long weekends. In Spring, you will have a week without classes
for spring break. Of course, many students choose to travel after they finish their studies and before they go
back home (your DS-2019 form is valid for up to 30 days after the last day of class).
In previous years, many international students have rented cars to travel around the United States. However,
the new driver’s license laws may impact your ability to obtain a rental car. Since many rental agencies
require a valid U.S. driver’s license as proof of ID, you may wish to investigate alternative means of
transportation.
The metric system
The U.S. does not use the metric system; instead we still use miles, pounds, gallons, ounces, inches and feet.
Work while on exchange
UT Exchange Students:
Students on the UT exchange may apply for on-campus work by obtaining work permission from the Center
for International Education (CIE). Some exchange students have worked up to 20 hours per week in the
library, recreation center, as a tutor or in one of the student cafeterias to make extra money to help with
expenses such as books or personal travel. You can apply for academic training (internship) for 4-8 months
(on or off campus) as long as the position is directly to your field of study. The internship is normally
completed after the end of your courses.
ISEP Students:
You need to seek work permission through the ISEP office in Washington, D.C. On campus work permission
is relatively straightforward to obtain from ISEP and takes approximately 2 weeks. As an ISEP student, you
can also apply for academic training for 4-8 months (on or off campus) directly related to your field of study.
The academic training (internship) would normally be completed at the end of your semester.
Degree from UT
Generally, the length of an exchange is for one or two semesters. While you are at UT you are considered a
special non-degree-seeking student. It is the intention of the exchange program that you will return to your
home country and university where you will obtain your degree. You might want to consider returning to
UT later to pursue a graduate degree!
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CHECKLIST
CARRY THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ON YOUR PERSON OR IN YOUR HAND LUGGAGE:
 PASSPORT
 DS-2019
 PROOF OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT
 ACCEPTANCE LETTER FROM UT
 COPIES OF ALL THESE DOCUMENTS (keep in your checked baggage)
 At least $150 CASH (for taxi fare, settling-in expenses, etc.)
 ANOTHER FORM OF PICTURE IDENTIFICATION
 PERSONAL TOILETRIES AND A CHANGE OF CLOTHES (in case you get stuck
overnight at the airport or your luggage doesn’t make it to Knoxville at the same time you
do)
 PROGRAMS ABROAD OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION
o
o
1620 Melrose Avenue
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN 37996
USA
Tel: US +1-865-974-3177 (Monday – Friday 8am-5pm)
 UT POLICE DEPARTMENT CONTACT INFORMATION
o Tel: US +1-865-974-3114 (anytime)
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EXCHANGE BENEFITS
On the exchange program, a UT student will leave money behind to pay for the benefits of incoming students, and the
same will have been done for them at their host school. UT has exchanges with several different programs, and each
of them receives different benefits.
Below is a table detailing the different benefits for each program.
 means that this amount has been paid for by a UT student. X means that you will need to pay.
Program
ISEP
Kansai Gaidai
Cracow
Sichuan
Tsinghua
Housing
Meal
Stipend
Tuition and
Fees*
Classroom
Fees
University
Application
Fee
Pre-semester
Housing
and Food



X



X

X

X
Bonn
Calgary
Canberra
Chinese U of Hong Kong
Chuo
City U of Hong Kong
Danish School of Journalism
DHBW Mannheim
Helsinki Metropolia
IAAD Bauhaus
International Christian
KEDGE
Keele
Kent
Kobe
Macquarie
Mahidol
X
X
X


Manchester
Nottingham
Nottingham Ningbo
Oslo
Politecnico di Torino
Robert Gordon
Salzburg
Stenden
Swansea
Sunshine Coast
Toyo
UCD
Utrecht
Waseda
WHU
Worcester
* Applicable fees: Maintenance fee, programs and services fee, technology fee, campus facilities fee, and study
abroad fee. All other fees will be the responsibility of the student, i.e. physical education fee, lab fee, etc.
Students may be responsible for any differential course fee in Business, Engineering and Architecture.
If a student requires any additional immunizations, the student is responsible for paying any additional costs.
UT insurance may cover the cost.
NOTE: If you are applying for the 2016-2017 academic year, please add an additional 10% to yours school’s
budget sheet as the budget has not been updated for the upcoming year.
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X